TREE-MENDOUS NEW PLAY AREA OPENS AT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM, WESTONBIRT
 Crawling under tree roots, encounters with over-sized worms and climbing into a giant birds nest are not normal experiences associated with a visit to the National Arboretum, Westonbirt, but it’s what awaits the under-fives as a brand new play area opens in time for summer.
The Forestry Commission-managed site in Gloucestershire spreads across 600 acres and provides limitless natural play opportunities for children – and grown ups! From hide-and-seek to den building, fun and games are encouraged throughout and family groups account for 25% of all visitors.
The Exploratree experience, located next to the Courtyard Café, is aimed solely at under fives to help develop their play skills and their understanding of trees.
Taking the functioning tree as its inspiration, Exploratree seeks to enable children to explore the different parts that make up a tree – roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and seeds/fruit – creatively, actively and through their imagination in such a way as to expand their understanding of how a tree works.
Toddlers and young children will be able to walk through a large wooden tree root to enter a woodland wonderland where they can climb, hide, make sculpture, build dens, meet all sorts of creatures and enjoy some real adventure play.
While enjoyment is at the heart of this project, as far as Westonbirt Education and Interpretation Manager Ben Oliver is concerned, this is serious fun: “The aim is to engage the youngest visitors with trees, to spring board their interest in the environment and encourage their own exploration of Westonbirt through self-discovery, curiosity and spontaneity.”
The arboretum’s 2006 family survey indicated that it is this age group which most want play facilities close to the visitor hub, and the decision to build the play area is also supported by a recent Forestry Commission publication, Growing Adventure, which outlined the desire to develop play provision across its sites. Westonbirt’s Exploratree is the first step towards that goal and the next phase will see play opportunities for older children throughout the wider arboretum.
ENDS
Westonbirt is three miles south-west of Tetbury on the A433 Tetbury to Bath road, and is open all year between 9am and 8pm, or dusk if earlier. The normal cost of admission for adults is £5 - £7.50, children £2. Group and concession rates are available. It is 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.
For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or call the arboretum on 01666 880220.
Notes to Editors:
1. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 Listed Landscape.
2. Westonbirt is managed by the Forestry Commission. Visitor numbers are just under 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 19,000.
3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
4. Westonbirt is home to the National Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1870. Today we are in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples.
5. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk
For further information or images please contact Charlotte Hazelby or Alison Jennings on 0117 9441166 or email info@cspr.uk.com
e-mail: kellie.lovett@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |